When The Heart Speaks Coffee Break Tale
Amy’s mum said to her she would just know when she found The One. But could it really be that simple…
Amy helped her mother zip the back of her dress. “Wow, it still fits you.” “It better, I gave up chocolate for a year to ensure it did.”
Amy glanced at the framed wedding photo on the dresser. In it, her father looked distinguished in a dark suit, her mother beautiful in the elegant cream A-line dress. Except for a shorter hair style and laughter lines, her mum looked exactly the same. “Are all the guests here yet?” “They sure are,” said Amy. “And Dad’s in the marquee entertaining everyone with embarrassing family anecdotes and jokes.”
“His sense of humour is what attracted me to him when we first met.”
“You haven’t grown tired of the same jokes after thirty years?” Amy teased. Her mother turned from the mirror. “Never,” she said. “It’s not what your father says, but the expression on his face that makes me laugh each time.”
Amy glanced at the photo again. It was hard to imagine the couple not as her parents, but as Lisa and Robert from thirty years ago, two young people flirting and dating. “Mum, how did you know Dad was The One?”
“When you’re with the right person, your heart speaks.” “But did you know straight away?” “No, but about six weeks into dating, during a seemingly unremarkable moment when he was washing the dishes after making me dinner, he turned and smiled at me. That’s when my heart spoke to me.” She threaded her arm through Amy’s. “Come on. Time to surprise your father with my outfit for our anniversary party.”
Amy had her own surprise for her parents later. She had spent months secretly creating a slide show celebrating their thirty years together. The accompanying music to the photos was the song they danced to at their wedding reception. Gavin had helped. They had been dating for four weeks now and she liked him a lot. He was kind and thoughtful, and she looked forward to their dates. But she had liked other people she’d dated previously too, and they eventually parted. Would that happen with her and Gavin? Was he simply not The One?
Under the marquee her dad gasped when he saw his wife in her original wedding dress. They shared a loving embrace and then the partying began.
Amy spotted Gavin walking towards her. “I’m glad to be here,” he said. “Meeting your family makes me realise why you’re so wonderful.”
“Thanks. I think you’re a hit with them too.”
“That’s good to know. But there’s only one person I hope I’m a hit with.”
His hazel eyes sparkled under the outdoor lights. Eyes that seemed to fill with emotion – or was it just the reflection from the lights?
Before Amy could respond Gavin said, “Is it time to set up your surprise gift? I’ll help.”
“Soon, and thanks. I hope everything goes off without a hitch. I want this to be perfect for my parents.”
The party guests looked on with curiosity when later Gavin set up a large portable white screen and Amy set up the laptop and projector. Everyone hushed when Amy spoke.
“Mum, Dad, thank you for being such an inspiration. I’ve put together a little something for your anniversary.”
She started the slideshow and the first photo appeared, then the second.
Amy looked to Gavin who was still standing near the screen. He must have known from her stricken expression what had happened. The music component wasn’t working. And the music really was just as important as the photos. She felt panic rise, but then Gavin took a step forward and began to sing… the exact song she had picked for the slideshow!
Amy knew he didn’t like being the centre of attention, but he had stepped forward anyway to help her – and, boy, could he sing!
As the photos scrolled, Gavin’s tenor voice filled the marquee with the love song, each verse sung with feeling. And when he uttered the sweet line: never again will a day be perfect if you’ re not by my side, he looked directly at her and his eyes sparkled again.
Amy smiled at him as her heart swelled. In that moment she knew her mum was right, except for one thing. Her heart didn’t just speak. It sang.